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Jazz Music
It is a stressful experience to imagine a world without music. Music has been a companion for human life since the origin of life. More so, even other animal species such as birds, snakes, and cows have been associated with some elements of music. Music plays a considerable role in the life of human beings. One of these roles is that it is primarily used as a means of recreation or entertainment. However, this is not the only way that music is useful. It can be used for educational purposes, political purposes, where music is used to praise or criticize various elements of politics. Over the years, music has evolved to suit the evolving human life. There are multiple categories of music. These categories are referred to as music genres. A music genre is characterized by unique characteristics that are different from those of other music genres. Such components include the type of instruments used to play the music, vocals, and tones, among other features. The purpose of this paper is to discuss a particular music genre as it occurs in a concert. For this paper, the selected music genre is Jazz.
The origin of Jazz music is from New Orleans, America. The music was pioneered by the African-American communities. Most of the work of the Jazz music occurred between the late 19th century and the 20th century (Ensemble, np). Even after the end of the human slave trade, the whites and the blacks had no equal rights. However, Jazz music was one aspect that proved to be shared between the two parties. Both the whites and the blacks had a passion for Jazz music. Jazz music has its roots from other music genres, primarily blues and ragtime. Most often, Jazz music is perceived to be America’s Classical music. Jazz takes the form of the famous dance music, which is influenced significantly by Jazz. The music is played in a loud and rhythmic style. Like any other music genre, Jazz as all the components that make up music. Such components include melody, harmony, rhythm, and improvisation (Ensemble, np). The element of melody plays the role of assigning a tune to the song. This is the music component that is remembered mostly by the singers or fans of Jazz. The role of the harmony is to make the melody to sound fuller and better. The rhythm, accompanied by the beats per second, defines the heartbeat of the song. However, Jazz music has a unique component referred to as improvisation. This component plays the role of the spontaneous composition of music. During improvisation, there is no time to prepare the content of the music, no discussion with the band; the music comes out of the blues. This is unlike other music genres that require much time to prepare, practice, and produce. Actually, it is the component of improvisation that makes Jazz music different or unique from other music genres. Some argue that Jazz music does not have noticeable melodies, but they do. However, the aspect of melody in Jazz music is just but a small part of the whole. In jazz music, the song begins with a melody. However, as the song proceeds, each singer I the band takes their chances to improvise with spontaneous notes ranging from high, low, short, and even longer.
The band for Jazz music might comprise of artists who do not take part in the soloing of the song. They are, however, left to provide some kind of background tones and tunes to accompany the principal soloists. At the end of the song, the melody returns. The aspect of improvising is the main factor that renders some kind of uniqueness to Jazz music such that the same tune will have different outcomes when played. Improvisation is the main element of Jazz music that harmonizes the many features of Jazz music. Some of these features include (Ensemble, np)
The swung rhythms and the syncopation
The walking base
Scat-singing- the act of singing syllables other words.
Blue scale
Stabs that are usually on brass
Glissando that slides from one note to another
Breaks in instrumentals
As a music genre, Jazz music has much more to offer than satisfaction for music passion. Jazz music is quite unique or different from other music genres because it can be used to inspire to shape some aspects of human behavior and personality. The music genre is associated with imparting courage to people. It also helps a person to exploit their abilities and talents through its music component of improvisation, innovation. It is a music genre that carries educational roles for both young and adults. One of the most outstanding features of Jazz music is that every member of a Jazz band gets a chance to be the soloist. The lesson from this is that the music genre provides an equal opportunity for all voices. There is no voice that is better than the other if used effectively and with confidence.
Music concerts are some of the most lucrative recreational events known worldwide. A music concert refers to a live music concert that happens in front of an audience. Human beings are characterized by having different tastes and preferences. More so, they will have different opinions for one thing. According to these facts, different people will have different interests in different music genres. Due to this reason, concerts are organized with the consideration of the nature of the audience at the heart of the organizers. If the majority of the audience is young people or the youth, then the concert must be organized to suit the youth. In simpler words, concerts vary according to the music genre being performed. However, concerts for a small Jazz combo or the small bluegrass have some common elements. The common elements are the same order of the program, the setting of the mood, and volume. However, they vary in the music performed and the dressing of the audience. This paper presents a description of one of the most important Jazz concerts.
On the 27th of February in this year of 2020, there was a major Jazz concert held in Beavercreek, Ohio. This Jazz concert was referred to as the Weekend of Jazz, “Where the future of Jazz meets the Legends of Jazz (Finkelstein, np).” Despite having stated the specific one-day event, it is important to note that this concert occurs annually. The primary purpose of this annual concert is usually to expose the young generation of Beavercreek to the new and advancing forms of Jazz music. More so, it is the purpose of the show to enable them to learn about various music careers from Jazz experts and professional artists.
The concert was performed by multiple Jazz bands and artists, but the most outstanding performance was by Kjell Nordeson and Peter Kuhn in the CHS Performing Arts Center. Peter several musical instruments with him. The instruments included a bass clarinet, Bb Clarinet, and a saxophone. In the first piece of the performance, Peter used the bass clarinet and the saxophone. The Clarinet was used in the second piece of the performance. On the other hand, Kjell Nordeson had a lot of instruments in his possession, but the most dominant instrument is the drum. On different occasions, Kjell would play the drum in the form of a drum set. On other occasions, he places some of his instruments on the drum so that he created different, unique, but sweet and pleasing effects. Kjell also had a glockenspiel and a small flexatone. The concert was quite simple but effective in achieving its purpose.
I will admit that I haven’t been a fan of Jazz before. This is the main reason that I chose to write about Jazz music. I wanted to know some details about the music genre. Due to this, I could not attend the concert before I familiarized myself with the music genre. It was important for me to have some background about the music and also to have a glimpse of what was to be performed. For this reason, I took my time to listen to a few jazz recordings and also watching some recorder Jazz concerts. This was important for me because I was enlightened on the costumes to wear for the occasion. Some of the Jazz music that I rehearsed with for the occasion is
Take Five by Dave Brubeck
So what by Miles Davis
In a sentimental Mood by Duke Ellington
A Night In Tunisia by Dizzy Gillespie
Work Cited
Ensemble, IC Jazz Vocal, and John W. White. “Concert: IC Jazz Vocal Ensemble.” (2018).
Finkelstein, Sidney Walter. Jazz: A People’s Music. Pickle Partners Publishing, 2018.